Great news, everyone! We wanted to share a very positive and happy update with you all. While we still have one big diagnostic hurdle coming up next Friday, May 17, Anthony is doing amazingly well. We have an excellent report for you.
Anthony has been getting stronger and healthier every day. His counts are all moving in the right direction. He is still going to the clinic every Monday. His care team has been very pleased with his continued progress. The engraftment has been successful and all trends so far have been good.
About a week and a half ago he was able to reach one of his personal goals — he got back into the woods in his hiking boots! He has been feeling much stronger and has been very ready to get back out into the wider world. Dee Dee and Anthony decided it was time to try a quick impromptu visit up to the Smoky Mountains (one of their special places!) to see his beloved waterfalls. While they did have to take it easy and a bit more slowly, they had a great time and actually made it out onto a few different trails and saw not just one, but several waterfalls — Mingo Falls, Potter Falls, Cummins Falls and Burgess Falls. They even saw a bear! Overall, a very successful outing — the first of many!
The procedure that’s coming up on May 17 is the post-transplant bone marrow biopsy. This test is the next scheduled stop on the bone marrow transplant process — and will be a definitive measure of how successful the transplant, engraftment, and treatment has been. The results of this diagnostic procedure will take several days to be fully analyzed and assessed by his doctors. They will then share the results with the family at an in-person consult yet to be scheduled. We will let you all know the outcome as soon as we know.
Again, the family wishes to express deep gratitude and appreciation for all of the love and support coming from this community. You’ve stayed with us on this long journey and have shown Anthony and Dee Dee such an open hearted embrace! The sense of connection and concern for them has both sustained and inspired them. You’ve lifted them up and helped them through some incredibly dark and scary days. Never underestimate how powerful your kindness can be.
Be well!
